US President Barack Obama has asked the Syrian Government to stop repressing its citizens, after at least 170 people were killed in three weeks of pro-democracy protests that has shaken the regime of President Bashar Assad.

Asking the regime to listen to the voices of its people who are calling for meaningful political and economic reforms, Obama said, “Until now, the Syrian government has not addressed the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.

Violence and detention are not the answer to the grievances of the Syrian people.”

“It is time for the Syrian government to stop repressing its citizens and to listen to the voices of the Syrian people calling for meaningful political and economic reforms,” he said in a statement.